Come Be In The Midst Of Us!

With our final Sing-along workshop of the season, Deep Waters, this Saturday at Epworth United Methodist Church, we thought we’d talk to longtime PEV member, Annette Cayot about her experience of the event held at Epworth last spring. Annette joined the chorus in 1980, first as a soprano, then switching to the alto section in the following season. She became Treasurer of the group’s non-profit corporation in 1981, holding that post continually through 2015. Annette has sung in every concert season since joining. But, in addition to being a PEV member, she also happens to be a lifelong member of Epworth UMC.

Last year, I was delighted to bring the Sing-along to Epworth. Some members of our church choir had taken part in an earlier Sing-along event, and their experience was so positive that they expressed to me an interest in holding such an event at Epworth. One thing led to another, and we were able to make the arrangements.

As you might imagine, joining two very long-term communities together for a single event can be stressful. For me, though, it was ultimately overwhelmingly gratifying.

If I had to describe the Sing-along experience, I would say that it is healing, transformative, community-building, centering… and more. I heard many people talk about their joy at being surrounded by so many voices, making music or even just listening. People also thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with our director, Lynne Morrow—to experience for themselves her ability to encourage glorious sounds from an assembled group of people, representing many different levels on the musical experience spectrum.

As for me, I really love being part of an expanded chorus at these events. The Sing-along is a more intimate way, than the straight concert performance, for us to share our love of music. I also think this is a great way to experience the Spirituals genre. The power of this music is best experienced in the singing of it. A number of people who don’t really consider themselves singers, yet attended out of interest, said they found being in the midst of a chorus was really uplifting.

I can’t wait to do it again! I hope you’ll join us at my church, 3pm on Saturday, April 16th.

Follow this link for tickets (purchasing tickets helps us know how many copies of the music to bring), or just come on over!